Ya Fei

After briefly testing the new effects of the Water Clone Technique, Nalan Sheng left the inn feeling thoroughly satisfied and headed straight for the Mittel Auction House.

The Mittel Auction House was the largest auction venue in Wutan City, and it belonged to the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire-the Mittel Family!

Like the Nalan Family, the Mittel Family was one of the Jia Ma Empire's Three Major Clans.

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The Mittel Family excelled at business, however, while the Nalan Family's influence leaned more toward the military.

Upon learning that Nalan Sheng came from the Nalan Family, the guards at the Mittel Auction House dared not show him the slightest neglect. They immediately had someone escort him to a VIP room.

"I was wondering why my eyelid had been twitching since early this morning. Turns out an honored guest was coming~"

Not long after Nalan Sheng entered the VIP room, crisp footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a soft, honeyed laugh that sent a tingle through the listener. Dressed in a red gown that accentuated her voluptuous figure, Ya Fei walked in, swaying her water-snake waist.

"Sister Ya Fei, long time no see."

As he gazed at Ya Fei's enchanting, alluring face, a flicker of reminiscence passed through Nalan Sheng's eyes, and he nodded to her with a smile.

Since Ya Fei was also a member of the Mittel Family's direct line, Nalan Sheng naturally knew her. Both had attended plenty of banquets held by the Three Major Clans.

"Well, Young Master Sheng, you certainly have some nerve, sneaking little sister Yanran off to the Xiao Clan to break her engagement behind Old Master Nalan's back."

With delicate steps, Ya Fei settled beside Nalan Sheng in a waft of fragrance. A teasing smile appeared on her face. "Aren't you afraid Old Master Nalan will break your legs in a fit of rage?"

"Of course I am~"

Nalan Sheng nodded with feigned helplessness, then looked straight into her beautiful eyes, clear as Qiushui. "That's why I've come to you for refuge, Sister Ya Fei. I'm not returning to the imperial capital until the old master's anger has cooled, anyway. I just don't know whether you're willing to take me in."

"Of course I am!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Ya Fei replied, "I have several vacant estates under my name. Pick whichever one you like later and stay there for now. You can stay as long as you please, Young Master Sheng."

Ya Fei had agreed so readily partly because she and Nalan Sheng were on good terms, and partly because she wanted him to owe her a favor.

After all, Nalan Sheng was the Nalan Family's eldest young master. His eventual succession as the family head was practically nailed to the board, and a favor from him was worth quite a lot.

"Since you've put it that way, Sister Ya Fei, I won't stand on ceremony~"

Nalan Sheng first thanked Ya Fei, then turned his hand over and produced a black iron fragment. "By the way, Sister Ya Fei, this is a treasure I picked up at the Xiao Family Market earlier.

"An alchemist probably made it. It takes spiritual power to open.

"My spiritual power isn't strong enough, so I'll have to ask your auction house's alchemist to help me open it.

"If whatever's stored inside is of no use to me, I'll simply leave it with your auction house to sell."

"Oh?"

A trace of surprise flashed through Ya Fei's beautiful eyes as she examined the weathered black iron fragment. She turned to the maid nearby. "Go and invite Master Gu Ni over."

"Yes."

The maid in green, who was responsible for serving tea, hurried out of the VIP room.

Before long, the maid returned, followed by a white-haired old man in a green robe.

"Sheng, let me introduce you. This is Master Gu Ni of our auction house. He's a three-star Da Dou Shi as well as a Second-Rank Alchemist."

Upon seeing the old man in green, Ya Fei promptly introduced them to each other. "Uncle Gu Ni, this is Nalan Sheng, the Nalan Family's eldest young master."

"Greetings, Young Master Nalan."

Once he learned that Nalan Sheng was the Nalan Family's eldest young master, Gu Ni immediately set aside the arrogance peculiar to alchemists.

Although alchemists enjoyed status far above ordinary people, a Second-Rank Alchemist like Gu Ni really could not afford to offend a young master of Nalan Sheng's standing.

"You're too courteous, Master Gu Ni."

Nalan Sheng waved a hand with a smile, then offered him the black iron fragment. "Please help me take a look, Master Gu Ni. What exactly is inside this?"

Gu Ni nodded, took the black iron fragment, and examined it carefully. Finally, he stroked his beard and said, "Young Master Nalan, this iron fragment contains a Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique called Suction Palm."

"It's only a Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique?"

Nalan Sheng's swordlike brows knitted slightly as he feigned disappointment. "I thought it might contain a Pill Recipe or something."

"Oh, my dear Young Master Sheng~ It's still a Profound Rank Dou Technique. Do you really have to look so disappointed?"

Ya Fei rolled her eyes at Nalan Sheng, then could not resist asking curiously, "By the way, how much did you pay for this iron fragment?"

"Five thousand gold coins!"

"Only five thousand gold coins?"

Ya Fei's eyes widened, her lips parting slightly. "Then didn't you pick up an incredible bargain? A Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique usually goes for fifty to a hundred thousand gold coins. You could sell it on for more than ten times what you paid!"

"It's not bad~"

Nalan Sheng looked perfectly unruffled. "But I can't be bothered to waste time practicing this Dou Technique. I'll leave it with your auction house to sell."

"That's wonderful~ Our annual grand auction happens to be coming up in two months."

Ya Fei nodded with a bright smile. "If you aren't in urgent need of money, why not put this Dou Technique up for sale at the grand auction? It should fetch a good price then."

"Sure!"

Naturally, Nalan Sheng had no objections. Although Ya Fei's cultivation talent was unremarkable, her gift for business was exceptional. When it came to commerce, he could not go wrong by listening to her.

Several days later

Inside a luxurious estate in Wutan City.

Bang, bang, bang...

Dressed in a fitted blue-and-white outfit, Nalan Sheng held his Desert Eagle and fired at the human-shaped targets held up by Shadow Ninjas, just as he usually did.

Since the Desert Eagle consumed no dou qi and could automatically replenish its ammunition, Nalan Sheng had been making time to practice his marksmanship after finishing his cultivation method and Dou Technique training each day.

After several days of diligent practice, Nalan Sheng had made clear progress. He could now hit his target with every shot within a hundred meters.

Although the Desert Eagle's power was limited, using it

to deal with first-rank magical beasts and Dou Zhe was more than enough.

Even a Dou Shi could easily have their head blown off by a single shot from Nalan Sheng's Desert Eagle if they had not covered their entire body with a dou qi veil beforehand.

Only those who had reached the Da Dou Shi level could rely on reflexes far beyond those of ordinary people to dodge the Desert Eagle's bullets outright, or deploy Dou Qi Armor in time to withstand the shots.